Irish teenager gets off to perfect start on Sunderland debut

Early days with The Black Cats but Jack Connolly can be pleased with his Sunderland start.

St Francis F.C is renowned for producing a bevvy of talented players. The West Dublin club side have seen seven players depart their underage system for the likes of St Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers in recent weeks. One of their best prospects, Jack Connolly, signed up with Sunderland earlier this month and is already settling in well. The 16-year-old, who hails from Clondalkin, was immediately drafted into Sunderland's U18 side and made his debut against Gateshead in a preseason friendly on Tuesday night. https://twitter.com/StephenHM56/status/750090659130929152 The game went comfortably in The Mackems' favour, as they won out 4-0. Young forward Lee Connelly scored a brace, but U18 boss Elliott Dickman was equally fulsome in his praise for the Irish teenager. Connolly set up Jake Hackett for his long-range strike and played his part in a slick passing move for Connelly's second. Post-match, Dickman said:

"It was a good run out for the lads in their first game back. We mentioned to the players beforehand that it was all about getting back into the swing of things and being comfortable on the ball.We worked well as a team in and out of possession so there were plenty of positives to take from the game."

Connolly was part of the Ireland U16 squad that, earlier this year, won the UEFA Development Tournament in Hungary. He will be hoping to feature in the upcoming fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United before the 2016/17 season gets underway.